TVET students graduate |23 September 2019
The graduates in a souvenir photograph with guests
The 2017-2018 cohort of the Technical, Vocational, Education, Training and Entrepreneurship (TVET) students have received their certificates after completing their course with success.
The graduation ceremony was held last week in the auditorium of the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (Site) at Mont Fleuri.
The ceremony was attended by Dr Odile Decomarmond, principal secretary for early childhood, primary and secondary education; the director general of TVET, Jean Alcindor; ministry officials; parents; teachers and students.
In total 67 S5 students have successfully completed the TVET programme.
This marks the seventh and final cohort of the TVET Phase 1 programme which has now replaced the general secondary education and skill development pathway which enables students to join the world of work directly after completion of the programme.
In his address Mr Alcindor noted that the programme provides learners with opportunities to acquire competencies that are necessary to enter the world of work.
“Already some of our school leavers are enrolled in apprenticeship programmes offered by some professional centres, some have also joined the workforce and others are following skills development programmes with the department of employment,” said Mr Alcindor.
Mr Alcindor went on to add that some students are not able to complete their training due to many external factors such as peer pressure and lack of counselling by teachers
This year’s certificate recipients received training through experiential learning in fields such as motor vehicle mechanic, firefighting, carpentry, pastry, hairdressing, agriculture and horticulture, fisheries, accommodation, and textile and fashion design.
During the ceremony video testimonies from present and past students who went through TVET were shown.
Dean Laurence, one the students in the videos as well as a graduate, said: “I’m extremely happy and proud that I was able to complete the programme. I encourage other students to do the same as TVET has taught me many things that I didn’t necessarily know,” Dean said.
He also thanked his father for all the help he gave him. Dean is currently a student at the Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture.
Another student who successfully completed the TVET programme is Anel Robert who is currently a trainee photographer at the National Information Services Agency. He described his experience in TVET as an eye opener as he was able to go beyond his comfort zone and try new things.
The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks from the parent of a TVET student from Belonie secondary, Antoinette Valentin, who thanked everyone for their dedication and support.